BAD BOY ROMANCE: DIESEL: Contemporary Bad Boy Biker MC Romance (Box Set) (New Adult Sports Romance Short Stories Boxset) (47 page)

Namir’s face was stony.  “It was my idea.” 

Constantine picked up her cell.  “Well, I’m calling Jason.  You’re fired, Namir!” 

Taylor stood in front of him as if she were the body guard.  “Jason hired him, but it’s my money that is going to pay him!” 

Constantine rolled her eyes and drummed her fake blood red nails on the counter top.  “So?”

Taylor took a step forward and yanked the phone from her mother’s hand.  “So, he’s my employee.”  An evil smile spread across her lips.  “And there’s nothing you can do about it.” 

The next day Taylor was gracious enough to allow her mother to come with them when they went shopping for a dog, even though she complained that the interior of Taylor’s car would be ruined by something so filthy. 

Namir tried his best to explain the benefit of getting a dog that was grown, since it would technically be helping with her security, but Taylor insisted a puppy was what she wanted. 

“Oh I do hope you won’t get a large dog.”  Constantine said leaning forward form the backseat. 

Namir smirked and glanced at Taylor.  She grinned in return. 

“I’m getting a German Shepherd.” 

“Oh my Lord, Taylor!  They get so big!” 

The kennel that Namir had called earlier that morning was a thirty minute drive, and by the time they got there Namir’s ears were ringing.  Constantine had a complaint and answer for everything, and Taylor had a snide remark for all of it. 

A woman walked towards them and held out her hand.  “Namir Stone?” 

“Yes, Mam.” 

She turned to face Taylor.  Her short brown and gray hair moving in the breeze.  “You must be Taylor.  It’s an honor to have you.”

Constantine pushed her way between Taylor and Namir.  “And I’m her mother.” 

The woman, Denise, nodded, her smile only thinned slightly at Constantine.  “Well, Namir I’m glad you called.  We have some pups ready for adoption, and only three are already paid for.  So, you have two to choose from.”  She began walking towards a separate building to the side of her house. 

“The dog is for Taylor, like I explained on the phone.” 

“Ah, yes.”  She said. 

When the door opened, they were accosted immediately by the sound of tiny barks mingled in with a few larger ones.  The kennel area was clean and spacious. 

“Let me show you their father first.”  She led them to a cage that had a door to the back that led outside.  A massive black and tan German Shepherd stood and gazed at them.  He greeted Denise with a wag of the tail and came to the fencing to lick her hand.  The dog’s dark brown eyes looked at Namir and he growled low. 

“That’s not nice!”  Denise scolded the dog.  “I really just wanted you to see him so you would see what fine pedigree the pups have.  He’s a four time show winner, and has sired several litters.” 

Denise led them towards the pups.  Namir let the women get a little ahead of him before he looked back at the dog and growled himself, his eyes staring into the dog’s.  The animal whined lightly and laid down flat with his head between his front paws. 

“Namir!  Come see this one!” 

Taylor was already holding a solid black wriggling puppy in her hands.  The mother to the pups was in the next kennel, and she only raised her head in mild interest at the visitors.  Taylor laughed delightedly as the puppy licked her nose and mouth.  Constantine’s face was twisted in disgust.    

Denise frowned.  “I’m sorry, I meant to remove him before you got here.” 

Namir took a closer look, also frowning. 

“Why?”  Taylor asked.

“He was left on my doorstep about a month ago.  Poor little thing hardly had his eyes open, and he was sickly.  I let him nurse with the other pups, but…”  She hesitated.  “I mean he looks like a Shepherd, and that all I breed, but he’s different too.” 

“He’s a wolf hybrid.”

All eyes were on Namir as soon as he said it.

“Are you sure?”  Denise asked, looking back at the wriggling animal in Taylor’s hands.  The dog’s blue eyes looked up and he seemed to smile. 

“I’m sure.” 

“Well, you can’t bring that one home!”  Constantine exclaimed. 

“I want this one.”  Taylor said, and struggled to her feet.

“Sweetie, I don’t know what to even charge!” 

“What do you charge for the other pups?”

“Six hundred.”

“Then I’ll pay six hundred.  Do you want plastic or a check?” 

Taylor had named the puppy Lancelot, which caused Constantine to roll her eyes and grumble.

“At least call him Lance.” 

“Nope.  He’s Lancelot, and I’m Guinevere.” 

Namir smiled as he glanced at Taylor with her now sleepy charge curled in her lap. 

“Guess I’ll be King Arthur then?” 

“You can be whomever you want, as long as we go get what he needs before we go home.” 

“Of course.” 

“Can you medieval people at least take me home first?”  Constantine asked dryly. 

“Whatever.”  Taylor said.  Her cell phone was making a sound like wind chimes.  She swiped her finger over the screen, her smile slowly fading. 

Namir could see the change coming over her.  He tried to keep his eyes on the road and on her too.  “What is it?”  When Taylor didn’t answer he pulled he car off the road and took the phone from her shaking hands.  Her face was completely white. 

He looked at the text, then frantically looked past Constantine in the back seat to the road behind them and got out of the car.  Cars and trucks passed him benignly, unaware of why he squinted into the sun, sweat breaking out on his forehead.  Constantine’s voice was demanding answers that Taylor wasn’t giving to her. 

Namir got back in the car and looked at the single tear that fell from Taylor’s cheek onto Lancelot’s black fur.  He looked at the phone again before cutting it completely off.   The text read:  Cute puppy.  Can’t wait to pet him when I finally see you in person, bitch.

Namir grabbed the wriggling puppy by the scruff of his neck and handed him to Taylor.  She pouted as she took the already spoiled Lancelot and kissed him profusely along his neck. 

“You’ll hurt him!” 

Namir grunted and began hammering again.  Taylor wasn’t satisfied with the kennel that was purchased for the puppy, she also wanted him to have a pen in the backyard with a homemade dog house, complete with pink trim. 

“You realize this is stupid for a boy dog, right?”

Taylor laid her hands over the dog’s ears, her mouth held open in disapproval.  “I chose dusty rose for the trim and lattice work!  It’s a nice calming color.”  She set the puppy back on the ground and he immediately ran to Namir and began nibbling at his pants leg again.  He rolled his eyes but kept working.  At least today Taylor was more like herself. 

The first two days after the text message, the day they had gotten the puppy, she refused to leave the house, hardly even coming out of her room.  Greta nearly drove herself mad worrying that she would starve. 

During that time she had Namir get an old cat litter box from the basement and had Lancelot go to the bathroom in that.  She didn’t want the dog out of her sight, even to go outside and use the bathroom.  Between that and the drawing (which was detailed and excellent in Namir’s opinion) of the dog house she wanted built; Namir told her that the dog would be gender and species confused.

Constantine wandered to where he was working, her trim body fitted in a revealing black one piece swim suit.  Taylor frowned her disapproval. 

“Really, Mother?”

“What?”  She asked innocently.  Running her fingertips along Namir’s shoulders.  He looked at her out of the corner of his eyes, his face turning red.  “Are you working hard, Namir?  You certainly are…sweaty.” 

Taylor rolled her eyes and scooped up Lancelot.  The puppy wriggled and licked her neck. 

“You need to start training him.”  Namir said.  

“I know, but not yet.  I like him being so cuddly.”  Taylor giggled as the puppy tried to get closer to her face. 

Constantine swiftly took Taylor’s place in her vacated chair.  “Jason will be here soon.  He says he has good news.”  She said with a knowing smile. 

“Whatever.”  Was all Taylor responded before heading to the back of the house. 

Constantine watched Namir as he assembled the dog house.  “Where did you learn how to do that?” 

“My father was good with stuff like this.  He taught me.” 

“Do you look like him?”

Namir paused.  “I’m built like he was, but I look like my mother.”

“Ah, yes.”  Constantine smiled.  “She’s the exotic one.”

Namir shrugged.  He had never thought of his mother as anything other than his mother.  She was capable, beautiful, and could handle two werewolves; what more was there? 

Namir stood and brushed off his pants.  Constantine leaned forward, making sure her cleavage was visible, and smiled.  “Let’s go for a swim!”

“No thank you.”

“Why not?”

Namir studied Constantine.  If he were a different sort of man he would surely take advantage of her unabashed flirting, after all she was still very attractive for her age.  (Even if it was achieved in part by surgery.)  But he wasn’t that sort of man, and all she really did was irritate him. 

“Constantine, I think you have the nature of our relationship confused.”

“How so?” 

“I’m here working for your daughter.  I’m here to protect her, not to play around.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to walk the grounds again then wait inside until Taylor wants to come back out.”  

Constantine leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs gracefully.  “Touchy.” 

He whirled and spat out his words.  “You should be touchier!  She’s your daughter, and she’s in danger, and all your worried about is taking a dip in the pool with the hired help!” 

“Life must go on.”  She smiled icily. 

Namir gave her a stony stare before beginning his circuit of the grounds.  He wished Taylor’s mother could be shipped away until Taylor was safe again.  Hell, he wished she could be shipped away permanently!  He knew Taylor would have an easier time if she were.  As it was she was having a terrible time.  When the police were called about the text message, the only response was that nothing was threatened.  Since no harm had come to her physically, or to her property, and because they had no idea who to even as a name as a suspect, well there was little to be done.  Namir had insisted that it was like terrorism, and that he knew about.  

Once he was satisfied with the grounds he went inside to find Greta and Taylor happily enjoying the antics of Lancelot playing with a squeaky toy.  Taylor looked up and smiled. 

“When do you think he’ll howl?”

“I don’t know.”  Namir said running a glass of water. 

“Are you hungry, Namir?”  Greta asked getting up from the chair she was sitting on.  Whereas Constantine was obnoxious and tawdry, Greta on the other hand was a gem.  She genuinely cared about Taylor, and she was warming more to Namir each day.

“No thanks, Greta.”  He smiled.  He slid the glass onto the counter.  “Oh, I need you both to be aware that the security company is coming tomorrow morning to begin putting up the perimeter fence and gate.  The gate will have two keypads: one near the front of the gate, and the other inside.  No one, I repeat, no one is to have the code other than those who live here.”

“What about Jason?”  Taylor asked. 

“Not even Jason.  At least not right now.” 

Greta and Taylor nodded their understanding.

“Will they do the lights too?”

“Yes, and I’m having camera’s installed.  There will be three monitors.” 

“I’m guessing one will be in your room?”  Greta asked. 

“One in my room, one in Taylor’s, and one in a central location like the kitchen of living room.”  Namir noticed Taylor’s face darkening.  He knew this talk was scaring her, but he also knew that once all of the equipment was in place, that she would feel better, safer. 

Less than an hour later, Jason sauntered up to the front door and rang the doorbell.  When Greta let him in, he gave her a quick peck on the cheek and demanded to know where his “little super star” was.

“In the back yard with her puppy.”

Jason’s face went blank.  “Puppy?”

Greta smiled.  “Yes, he’s a cute little thing.” 

Jason rolled his eyes dramatically.  “She doesn’t have time for a puppy!”  He turned towards the kitchen and turned back with a sly smile.  “Say, fix me a drink, ok?” 

Greta threw her hands into the air as he went through the kitchen and onto the back patio. 

“Guess you want it delivered too!”  She said aloud, but went and made the drink anyway. 

“Well, what do we have here?”  Jason asked as he walked towards Taylor and Namir.  He noted with amusement that Constantine was wearing the skimpiest one piece he had ever seen on her, and she was shamelessly stretched out on a lounge chair. 

“It’s my puppy!”  Taylor beamed.  “I named him Lancelot.” 

Jason bent to kiss her cheek.  “Oh yes, he’s fantastic, but I was referring to this!”  He said and held a hand out towards Constantine.  “Your mother is actually sunbathing without benefit of hat and umbrella!” 

Constantine gave him a dry look.  “I have the benefit of SPF 30, Darling.”  She rolled onto her stomach and asked if someone would please rub more lotion onto her back. 

Jason looked at Taylor and Namir.  Namir shook his head solidly.  Taylor mouthed, “No way!” 

“Guess I’m it.”  He said and knelt beside her chair. 

“Taylor, I have fantastic news.”  He said squirting the sunscreen directly onto Constantine’s back.  She arched her back and spat out an expletive.  Jason laughed silently while looking over his shoulder at Namir and Taylor.

“Jason!  Rub it your hands first, then put it on my back!  That was a shock!” 

“Yes, yes.  Anyway, Taylor, guess who would like for you to read for the part of Cinderella?” 

“Cinderella?”  She asked with her brows pulled together.  “That’s a kids’ story!” 

“Oh no, my dear!  This is being directed by the master of Goth and all that is doom and gloom!  None other than Frank Shard!  He’s version of the fairy tale would give the Brothers Grimm nightmares if they were still alive!” 

Constantine lifted up on her elbows and looked at her daughter, sliding her large sunglasses halfway down her nose.  “Told you it was good news!”

Namir’s mouth tightened.  He glanced at Taylor and caught her looking at him expectantly.  “I’m not sure her being on a movie set, if she got the job, would be wise right now.”  He glanced back at Taylor and saw her face relax. 

“Oh she’s guaranteed the part, the reading is just a formality.” 

“That’s fine…”  Namir began.  “But I still say it isn’t wise.” 

Jason and Constantine looked at him like he were evil.  Jason decided to speak first. 

“This part will pay 1.25 million dollars!” 

“Is that it?”  Constantine whined. 

“She’s not an established actress.”  He said out of the corner of his mouth. 

Constantine sat up.  “You can do better than that, Jason!” 

Taylor looked from one to the other as they began arguing.  She could feel her heart beating heavily in her chest.  When she stood and yelled, everything stopped, including Lancelot. 

“Hey!  You guys remember me?” 

Jason and Constantine looked at her with wide eyes and mouths open.  Greta was making her way to Jason with a mixed drink on a tray, and stopped mid-stride.

Taylor talked with her hands flying.  “I’m the one who has to decide!  Not the two of you!” 

Jason approached her like she were a dangerous animal.  His voice and body language meant to be soothing.  He noticed Greta and motioned her forward, taking the drink from the tray and swallowing half of it in one gulp. 

“An opportunity like this might not come again for a very long time, sweetheart.”

“Really?  Then you do the part, Jason!  I’m sure you’d look lovely in drag!”  Taylor took off across the yard with Lancelot following as closely on her heels as his little puppy legs would allow him.  Taylor stopped at the kitchen door and picked him up.  She ran up the steps and took sanctuary in her room, locking the door behind her.

Namir sighed, and once again stopped his project.  Jason and Constantine had their heads together whispering furiously.  He guessed he wasn’t included since he was against the idea to begin with.  He walked towards the house to check on Taylor.  It was hard to tell what rash decision she would make just to get back at them. 

Taylor pulled a book out from under her bed.  It was where she stashed her favorites, and only Greta knew they were there.  She sat crossed legged on her bed and opened her tattered copy of Grimm’s Fairy tales.  She grazed the handwritten message in the inside cover. 

For my sweet princess!  Fairy tales aren’t always good and they certainly don’t always end happily.  Guard your heart and your mind!  Love to you always, Daddy

Tony Randall had given the book to his daughter after Constantine had put her in modeling classes at the age of eight.  He knew what that type of life would cost Taylor.

Taylor jumped when a quiet knock sounded at her door.  She moved to slide the book under the bed, but wasn’t willing to let it go just yet.  She unlocked the door and climbed back onto the bed, breathing a sigh of relief when Namir walked in.  He joined her, sitting awkwardly on the edge of the pink frilly bed. 

“I guess they’re down there discussing me?”

“They’re discussing something, and yes, I would imagine it is you.”  Namir smiled as he looked at the exhausted Lancelot dozing, fully stretched out, over the air conditioning vent.  “You wore him out.” 

“Yeah, I guess I did.  I ordered some training books and a couple of DVDs this morning so we can start working with him.” 

“I thought…”

Taylor grinned evilly.  “Yeah well, I didn’t want you to know I was being responsible.” 

Namir shook his head lightly and pulled the book she was holding from her hands.  “What’s this?”  He opened the front cover and read the inscription from her father.  “The more I hear about him, the more I wish I could have met him.” 

Taylor plucked at the comforter.  “He was wonderful.  I don’t know how he survived Constantine.”

Namir handed the book back to her, an amused expression on his face.  “So, you’re calling her by her given name now?”

“Might as well.  Greta acts more like a mother than she does.” 

Namir took on a serious expression.  “What are you going to do about the reading?”

“I’ll go.”  She said, and he couldn’t help but hear the defeat in her voice. 

“You don’t have to.  I stand by what I said, it’s not a good thing right now.”

Taylor looked up at him with her pale gray eyes.  “It’s never going to be a good time.  I can’t model forever.  Maybe acting is what I need to look at now.” 

Namir frowned.  “You’re so young…why do you worry like you’ve already reached your prime?”